Excursions

The agriculture of the future faces far-reaching challenges: climate change, resource scarcity, and the growing need for sustainable farming systems require new ways of thinking and innovative solutions in the field. Seeds play a central and key role in this context. But how does organic plant breeding differ in practical terms from conventional methods? What research approaches are needed to develop resilient varieties without the use of synthetic pesticides? And how does a globally active seed breeding company like KWS combine state-of-the-art biotechnology with specialized breeding for organic farming?

On June 19, 2026, 25 students and members of the Witzenhausen University Association (HVW) explored these highly topical issues during a one-day field trip. The group was accompanied by Prof. Dr. Gunter Backes (Department of Ecological Plant Breeding and Agricultural Biodiversity).

Practical Insights at the Wiebrechtshausen Monastery Estate

The day began at 8:30 a.m. in Witzenhausen. The first stop on the excursion was in nearby Northeim: The historic Wiebrechtshausen monastery estate is not only a visual highlight as a traditional agricultural operation but also serves as the practical heart of organic plant breeding at KWS Saat SE & Co. KGaA. It is home to the central experimental facilities for field selection under organic conditions.

During the informative tour of the facility, participants gained deep insights into the unique aspects of organic farming. Right at the trial plots, on-site experts explained how the selection criteria, site-specific challenges (such as nutrient efficiency and weed competition), and long-term breeding goals differ fundamentally from those of conventional breeding.

The fact that agricultural practice is closely tied to the weather became apparent late in the morning: a sudden rain shower forced the group to move the field tour indoors ahead of schedule. The subsequent discussion was quickly moved to the dry machinery shed—which did nothing to detract from the lively exchange and the in-depth “deep dive” into organic variety development.

Lunch Break in Historic Einbeck

To recharge and for an informal exchange between students, alumni, and faculty, the group continued on to the historic old town of Einbeck. At the Brodhaus restaurant—the oldest tavern in Lower Saxony—the group enjoyed some tarte flambée and used the time to discuss their first impressions of the day.

Insights into Research and Seed Production at the Corporate Headquarters

At 1:30 p.m., the doors of the KWS headquarters in Einbeck opened for the Witzenhausen group. The afternoon focused on the integration of modern breeding research, technological advancements, and commercial seed logistics. Following an introductory company presentation and a theoretical overview of current breeding methods—including molecular biology techniques such as CRISPR/Cas—the tour began through the various core areas of the headquarters.

At the Biotechnikum, the tour group experienced firsthand how modern molecular biology and genetic engineering tools are fundamentally transforming and accelerating plant breeding today. Participants were shown how molecular markers can be used to identify desired traits as early as the seedling stage. This eliminates the need for time-consuming field trials spanning multiple generations and allows breeders to make precise assessments regarding resistance or plant constituents.

The group then proceeded to the LEO greenhouse, a fully automated, state-of-the-art greenhouse system in a class of its own. Here, environmental conditions such as temperature, humidity, light spectra, and soil moisture can be precisely simulated and controlled to test the resilience of tomorrow’s plants under extreme climate scenarios. With the help of conveyor belts and high-precision image processing technology, the plants are autonomously transported to measuring stations, digitally recorded, and phenotyped. This allows reactions to drought stress or diseases to be analyzed more objectively and quickly than in traditional field conditions.

The tour concluded with a look at seed processing and packaging. In these spacious production halls, employees demonstrated the high-tech post-harvest processes: from mechanical cleaning and sorting by seed size and density to state-of-the-art seed treatment and pelleting technologies. The highly automated filling and logistics operations were also impressive, as this is where the transition from biological research to market-ready, high-quality seed for the global agricultural market takes place.

The official on-site program concluded around 3:30 p.m. Armed with many new ideas, nuanced perspectives on the interplay between ecological breeding and modern breeding technology, and enriching impressions, the group began their journey home and arrived back in Witzenhausen as planned around 4:30 p.m. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Prof. Dr. Gunter Backes for his expert guidance, as well as to the KWS teams at the Wiebrechtshausen monastery estate and in Einbeck for their hospitality and the wide-ranging insights they provided.

Our excursion started punctually at 8:30 a.m. at the Tegut parking lot in Witzenhausen. In perfect autumn weather, we made our way to the potash region on the border between Hesse and Thuringia - a landscape characterized by impressive mining facilities and at the same time by the consequences of decades of raw material extraction.

Our first stop took us to the foot of the imposing Monte Kali, which can be seen from afar at a height of around 200 meters. There we met representatives of the citizens' initiative "For a Werraland worth living in", which is campaigning together with BUND e.V. against the increasing salinization of the Werra. In a lively discussion, we learned how badly the region is suffering from the ecological consequences of potash mining - and how much effort and perseverance is needed to bring about change. The report on the initiative's lawsuit against the K+S Group, with which it is pushing for more environmental protection and sustainable action, was particularly impressive.

A delicious snack awaited us for lunch: freshly cooked soup from the ÖX organic farm in Frankershausen. Whether vegetarian or with meat - it tasted great and gave everyone new energy. Drinks - hot and cold - were also provided so that we could start the second part of the day with renewed energy.

In the afternoon, we continued on to Merkers, where we were welcomed by Lukas Bangert, Regional Advisor at K+S. In his introductory talk, we learned exciting details about the company's products and their importance for agriculture. Then perhaps the most spectacular experience of the day began: the trip underground to what was once the largest potash mine in the world.

Trucks descended to a depth of over 800 meters - into a fascinating world of salt, rock and technology. On a tour of around 21 kilometers, we gained an insight into the geological structures, the mining processes and the day-to-day work in the mine. The temperatures of between 21 and 28 degrees Celsius provided a real "tropical climate underground" and made the tour an unforgettable experience.

We finally arrived back in Witzenhausen at around 6 p.m. - tired but enthusiastic about a day full of exciting impressions, intensive discussions and new insights into the connection between business, the environment and responsibility.

The excursion with 30 participants started on Saturday, January 27 at 8:00 a.m. in Witzenhausen at the Tegut and our first stop was the Milchmuhseum in Willingen, where the plant manager of the farmer's dairy, Andreas Siegert, told us in detail about the concept and history of the dairy and showed us films of the production processes while we tasted dairy products. He then gave us a tour of the newly built dairy and gave us an insight into the production halls.

After a hike, we stopped for lunch at the Graf Stolberg Hütte above Willingen and enjoyed one of the most beautiful views over the Sauerland region with wonderful weather, good food and drinks. The return journey took us via Waldeck, where we had our last stop of the day at the Bio Agrar Meyer farm, which has been supplying the Upländer Bauernmolkerei dairy since 2014. They keep 120 dairy cows and farm 280 hectares. We were given an interesting tour of the barn by the farm manager, who is also on the board of the cooperative, and were given a view of the dairy from the side of the supplying farms. After an eventful day, we returned to Witzenhausen at around 6 pm.